SQ to get competiton ex-MAN for flights straight to APAC region

[Dobbo]

MAN is only 5x weekly at present, so it may only overlap 3x weekly!

In fairness, the northern winter is where demand to NZ really picks up so it's no great surprise. I'm sure there are one of two more things SQ can do to make timings more attractive, but they are moving in the right direction I think.

[ek&sq]

Interestingly, with these re-timed flights, there will be no onward connections from Europe (MAN, MXP, CPH, etc) to New Zealand on two days of the week between April and November since the 8:45 am flight will only operate 5 times a week during this period.

[Dobbo]

The reason for a 2100 arrival would be the huge bank of flights leaving from 2330 onwards. The arrival times into SIN match those of MEL when we had 3x daily. When we got the 4th flight, it was a midnight arrival to narrow the gap on the 0100 onwards departures. I can't see any real improvement for Euro connections here. India and SE Asia, definitely.

Quite, I'd have preferred a 2230 arrival into SIN, but perhaps the AKL-SIN aircraft is required elsewhere by then.

It helps bridge the gap between the EU-NZ connections offered by EK and QR, which is a step forwards for me.

[SQ228]

Not that I'm wanting to brag, but I wonder if SQ has been reading this thread...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU171...e-services.htm

Personally I'd have SQ286 a little later, but I assume there is good reason for this.

The reason for a 2100 arrival would be the huge bank of flights leaving from 2330 onwards. The arrival times into SIN match those of MEL when we had 3x daily. When we got the 4th flight, it was a midnight arrival to narrow the gap on the 0100 onwards departures. I can't see any real improvement for Euro connections here. India and SE Asia, definitely.

[Dobbo]

Hi FN-GM - have you flown to NZ?

I think SQ's connection options are not as attractive as others in EU-NZ. Your experience to Australia sounds familiar to me!

EDIT:

Perhaps SQ could split the AKL service between a single B77W/A380 to a double daily A359? This would be in addition to ANZ's daily flight in the JV. A late afternoon/early evening departure ex AKL could connect well into the European departure bank ex SIN?

Not that I'm wanting to brag, but I wonder if SQ has been reading this thread...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU171...e-services.htm

Personally I'd have SQ286 a little later, but I assume there is good reason for this.

[FN-GM]

I haven't been to NZ via SQ. I usually fly from Australia.

[Dobbo]

Hi FN-GM - have you flown to NZ?

I think SQ's connection options are not as attractive as others in EU-NZ. Your experience to Australia sounds familiar to me!

EDIT:

Perhaps SQ could split the AKL service between a single B77W/A380 to a double daily A359? This would be in addition to ANZ's daily flight in the JV. A late afternoon/early evening departure ex AKL could connect well into the European departure bank ex SIN?

[FN-GM]

I fly between MAN and BNE. I have found SQ to be the best all round, especially now MUC has been removed from the situation. SQ lands at BNE at a good time, I can go to bed after the flight. Other operators land in the morning or afternoon, that is a killer with jet lag.

I won't fly CX as there is a long connection time (can't remember in what direction though).

I won't fly EK because of poor J seats.

[Dobbo]

Hope the above picture works as it tees up what I have to say below. Apologies if not, also for dragging up and old thread but it felt the most appropriate, and close to me given that I am based close to MAN.

My experience of travelling between MAN (which has similar timings on SQ to other EU cities like Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Dusseldorf, Munich, Amsterdam, Copenhagen) and APAC, is as follows.

For EU-Australia, the connecting bank at SIN is pretty good, and competes well with the MEB3 and CX who are the major competition. This is mostly down to the multiple daily flights between the major Australian ports and SIN. There is an issue with departure times ex MAN, but it is unrealistic to expect more than a daily SQ flight to European destinations outside LHR, FRA, CDG.

For EU-New Zealand, the SQ connection banks could be better, and the MEB3 have a significant advantage, which is demonstrated by the graphic I hope has appeared above. Outbound (MAN-NZ) there is a good connection (40mins) to AKL, but to WEL and CHC you are waiting several (9+) hours for a connection, with WEL an additional CBR stop. Inbound, there are no good connections - even AKL you are liking at a 6hr connection.

I wonder whether any realistic steps can be taken to try and improve SQ's market share between Europe and NZ? I gather CX may add multiple daily frequency at MAN, which may squeeze SQ. As good as that would be, I'm not advocating throwing capacity at the issue, but can minor adjustments on the timing make a realistic difference?

Be good to hear your thoughts.

[Savage25]

Definitely not Yu...

[Pinkfloyd]

Who's HU?

Definitely not Yu...

[9V-SPL]

Who's HU?

Hainan Airlines of the People's Republic of China.

[Savage25]

HU are to go daily PEK-MAN from July.

Who's HU?

[Dobbo]

HU are to go daily PEK-MAN from July.

Touching on SQ228's point above, I wonder if a 2x weekly terminator could be timed differently so it connects to a different bank at SIN. Even though this would mean there would be two flights per day SIN-MAN on two days of the week, they would be spread out in terms of hours and offer a daily MAN-SIN return.

[Dobbo]

Hmm... Or is it possible to fill up the gap by flying to a new US destination via MAN (e.g. IAD)?

Another US flight might be an option.

A MAN terminator alongside SQ51/52 would need to be a different flight time avoid the issue identified by SQ228. A night (say 9pm) departure ex MAN should catch the bank of departures ex SIN arriving to Australia and NZ in their morning. 2-4 a week would make an interesting proposition and cover the gaps in service MAN-SIN.